For Release: September 12, 2005

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING
IMPROVED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Invests In Business Plan For A Health, Educational
And Recreational Complex

ROCKLAND - The McGuinty government is improving access to health care in the City of Clarence-Rockland by investing in a business plan for a health, educational and recreational complex, Jean-Marc Lalonde, MPP, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell announced today on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

"The McGuinty government is committed to meeting the top priorities for rural Ontario - strong people and strong economies, and better health," said MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde. "Increasing access to doctors for the residents of Clarence-Rockland is part of our plan to build stronger, more prosperous rural communities."

The Ontario government will contribute $181,500 to the City of Clarence-Rockland and its partners, Physician Consortium of Clarence-Rockland and Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est de l'Ontario. The project will develop a business plan for the health component of the complex including proposed health services and architectural drawings of the complex.

"Access to health care is key to the economic prosperity of a community," said Richard Lalonde, mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland. "Thanks to the support of the Ontario government, this project will ensure that our economic future remains bright and that our people experience better health and a better quality of life close to home."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships, and is a key part of the government's plan for rural Ontario. The rural plan provides a coordinated framework across government to build on rural Ontario's strengths - committed people, diverse economic opportunities, unrivalled resources and a solid sense of community.

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Contact:
Mathew Mault
MPP Lalonde's Office
(613) 720-0464